Roasted necks are no longer unique. Since it’s a very inexpensive process we’re seeing more of them in cheap basses. I prefer ebony and standard maple fretboards.
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Roasted Necks on basses
- Thread starter Pep
- Start date
Roasted maple necks are now my favorites because they are lighter, more rigid and resonant and best of all, they are usually very stable.
I used to prefer hard maple with slab dark rosewood fretboard but I’m now addicted to roasted maple.
I used to prefer hard maple with slab dark rosewood fretboard but I’m now addicted to roasted maple.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,075
- 46,026
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
You can still put any fingerboard you want on a roasted neck though, no?
Depends on the finish. I like both roasted and nonroasted.
It's not remotely about how they look.
The torrification process removes the moisture leaving you with a neck as stable as a 50 year old one that has made it to 2025 without warping.... for exactly the same reason
The torrification process removes the moisture leaving you with a neck as stable as a 50 year old one that has made it to 2025 without warping.... for exactly the same reason
any neck: if they work = they work!
re: necks = i'm not picky about much (but they have to 'feel good' to play). for me, there are good ones, bad ones, "meh," and the in-betweens.
the fact that any of them are "roasted" is beside the point....they have to feel good to play.
re: necks = i'm not picky about much (but they have to 'feel good' to play). for me, there are good ones, bad ones, "meh," and the in-betweens.
the fact that any of them are "roasted" is beside the point....they have to feel good to play.
I have both and enjoy them all. I judge each bass individually on its own merits.
I know a couple of builders out there who charge a $400-500 up charge for “torrified” necks. I call 
on that.
on that.
Not a fan. I like bright maple necks/fretboards.
It makes me think of cheap guitars now. I am ready for the trend to be over
Just cause they’re are used in more affordable instruments doesn’t mean they are bad.
I don’t have strong feelings either way about roasted maple.
I’m very fond of roasted salmon. And who doesn’t love a baked Alaska?
I voted carrots but, to be honest, I’m about as ambivalent about roasted carrots as I am about roasted maple.
Now, if we’re talking about coffee….
THAT’S something I have strong opinions about!
I’m very fond of roasted salmon. And who doesn’t love a baked Alaska?
I voted carrots but, to be honest, I’m about as ambivalent about roasted carrots as I am about roasted maple.
Now, if we’re talking about coffee….
THAT’S something I have strong opinions about!
If the neck is going to be a single piece of wood, then roasted is definitely my preference. If it’s a laminated neck then roasting isn’t necessary.
If you keep your bass long enough it will become a roasted neck over time anyway. My 25 year old Lakland 55-94 has that patina. It just kinda happens over time
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I hate the way they look (I just love a wonderfully painted body with this BROWN neck sticking out of it . . . . but then, I have the same problem with Fenders, they look like they came with the neck blank they screw the body onto to go through the paint booth ), and for me it's a cure to a problem I've yet to encounter. But for a while now it's been the 'gee, I got to have that' feature, so they sell. Just not to me.
Satin finish had always been my favorite for necks. Now I like silk (unfinished roasted maple.)
